Frank Borghi

A former field medic in the U.S. Army during World War Two while still a teenager. His huge hands were a great asset to him as a goalkeeper. 

He also played professional baseball. Played for numerous teams in St. Louis including the Schumakers, Simpkins, and St. Ambrose. Frank won U.S. Open Cup medals with Simpkins-Ford in 1948 and 1950. However, he is best known for his play in the 1950 World Cup Finals and also in the qualifying competition. He played four games for the U.S. in World Cup qualifying in Mexico City in 1949 and all three games in the finals as well as for the U.S. against Mexico in 1954 World Cup qualifying. However, will always be remembered as the goalkeeper who shut out England in that famous game played in Belo Horizonte in 1950. During that same year he played for Simpkins-Ford against Manchester United, and for the U.S. Stars against the Turkish club Besiktas in St. Louis and the English F.A. touring team in New York. A member of the St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame, and the Spanish Society Hall of Fame. He was named Most Valuable Player in 1955 by the Missouri Soccer Commission. For many years director of a funeral home in St. Louis.

Where Are They Now: Frank, inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1976, says it’s a good thing he gave the goalkeeper position a try - otherwise, he thinks he never would have made it very far as a soccer player. more>

U.S. National Team Statistics